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Call for unity in bid for university for the
countyPenzance bid failed because of lack of county support

By Joyce Channon
Chief Reporter

A Scottish success story has given fresh impetus to the bid for a University
of Cornwall.

Before a capacity audience of key opinion makers and decision takers in Cornwall,
the need for the county to come up with a distinctive and first-rate vision
on which to make the university dream a reality, was stressed during a lecture
and debate.

The recently formed Combined Universities in Cornwall lecture - chaired by
Cairns Boston at Cornwall College - was brought up to date on the progress
being made by the founder partners - the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth
and Falmouth College of Arts.

Key points were the appointment of consultents to carry out a demand survey,
which will be completed by next Easter, and a meeting due shortly with representatives
of Cornwall's colleges to discuss future growth in the provision of higher
education in Cornwall.

Robin Lingard who was project director of the University of the Highlands
and Islands in Scotland, highlighted the stumbling blocks and issues that
the Highlands and Islands has experienced in putting together their bid, and
how they overcame them.

Although not identical, there are many similarities between Cornwall and
the Highlands and Islands which had Objective 1 funding.

Prof Alan Livingston, principle of Falmouth College of Art said: "We
don't want a second rate university. We are going to take our time and produce
something of long-term quality. No-one should think this will happen tomorrow.
By the year 2006 we should have a case which is irrefutable. It is on that
kind of timescale."

Vice-Chancellor of Exeter university, Sir Geoffrey Holland spoke for all
when he appealed for everyone to work together in supporting the collaborative
approach.

Document preparation: Chris Salter, Original
Think-tank, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
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Last modification: 15th January 2002
Last information content change: 15th June 1999